FIU Panthers (3-1; 1-1 SBC)
vs. Duke Blue Devils (2-2; 1-0 ACC)
Saturday, October 1, 2011 • 7:02 p.m. (ET)
Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium (18,000) • Miami, Fla.
Series: First Meeting
Radio: WHIM-1080 AM (Tony Calatayud, pbp/Rick Sanchez, color)
TV: ESPNU (Rob Stone pbp/Danny Kanell, color)
THE GAME - The Panthers are looking to bounce back from their first loss of the year, a 36-31 defeat at the hands of Sun Belt foe Louisiana, as they host the Duke Blue Devils on Homecoming. Under Head Coach Mario Cristobal, the Panthers hold a 3-1 record on Homecoming, and have won their last three.
FIU will look to get back on track after last week allowing the most yards they have all season. The Panther defense will be faced with the tough task of grounding Duke's high-octane aerial attack. The Blue Devils bring the 20th-ranked passing attack at 305 yards per game.
This is the first-ever meeting between the Blue Devils and Panthers, and FIU's sixth against an ACC opponent.
WHERE WE'RE GOING, WE'LL NEED RHODES - With T.Y. Hilton and Wesley Carroll out most of the game against Louisiana (9/24), sophomore running back Kedrick Rhodes had a career night. Rhodes set personal bests for carries (30), rushing yards (157) and rushing touchdowns (3). The three rushing scores are tied for the second-best single-game total in FIU history.
MEDLOCKED IN - For the first time in his young career, redshirt freshman quarterback Jake Medlock saw extended playing time against Louisiana (9/24) when starter Wes Carroll went down with an ankle injury. Medlock responded with 216 passing yards to go along with 39 rushing yards and one touchdown.
FAST TIMES AT ALFONSO FIELD - With T.Y. Hilton nursing an injury against Louisiana (9/24), someone needed to step up in the receiving and return games, and junior receiver Wayne Times did just that. Times caught just two passes, but he racked up 75 yards. In the return game, Times had 158 yards, including an FIU season-long, 69-yard kickoff return at the end of the first half that set up an FIU touchdown to cut Louisiana's lead to just one point going into the break.
HUNT YOU DOWN - JUCO transfer linebacker Jordan Hunt has emerged as one of FIU's best defenders this year. Against Louisiana (9/24), Hunt led all Panthers with eight tackles, five of them unassisted and one for loss. On the season, Hunt is second on the team with 32 tackles, including 3.5 for loss and one sack.
THE CAGE IS ROCKING – Through three home games, the Panthers are averaging over 18,000 fans per home game, including an Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium record 20,205 in FIU's win over UCF on Sept. 17. The home field advantage has been felt by FIU's opponents as they have committed 26 penalties for 222 yards, many coming on offsides and delays of game.
Scouting the Duke Blue Devils
-The Blue Devils are coming off a 48-27 win over Tulane
-The 48 points are the most Duke has scored this season and the most since scoring 55 points against Virginia on Nov. 6, 2010.
-The Blue Devil offense totaled 27 first downs, a season-high for the team.
-Duke finished with 484 yards in the game, including 333 yards through the air.
-Duke is led by quarterback Sean Renfree who has completed an outstanding 72.7% of his passes for 1,026 yards and three scores.
-Duke's receiving core is deep as they have five players with over 100 receiving yards, including two over 200. Conner Vernon leads the way with 388 yards on 26 receptions and Donovan Varner is second with 236 yards on 22 catches.
-The Blue Devils have had great success on third and fourth down, as they have converted 46% of their third down chances and 60% of their fourth down attempts.
